Biodiversity Observations http://bo.adu.org.za

An electronic journal published by the Animal Demography Unit at the University of Cape Town

The scope of Biodiversity Observations consists of papers describing observations about biodiversity in general, including animals, plants, algae and fungi. This includes observations of behaviour, breeding and flowering patterns, distributions and range extensions, foraging, food, movement, measurements, habitat and colouration/plumage variations. Biotic interactions such as pollination, fruit dispersal, herbivory and predation fall within the scope, as well as the use of indigenous and exotic species by humans. Observations of naturalised plants and animals will also be considered. Biodiversity Observations will also publish a variety of other interesting or relevant biodiversity material: reports of projects and conferences, annotated checklists for a site or region, specialist bibliographies, book reviews and any other appropriate material. Further details and guidelines to authors are on this website.

Paper Editor: Doug Harebottle

BIRDS OF THE PENTAD 2905_2610: A REVIEW OVER A 30 YEAR PERIOD

Dawid H. de Swardt

Recommended citation format: de Swardt DH 2017. Birds of the Bloemfontein pentad 2905_2610: a review over a 30 year period. Biodiversity Observations, Vol 8.43: 1-17

URL: http://bo.adu.org.za/content.php?id=338

Published online: 28 August 2017

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AVIAN CHANGES pentad 2905_2610), the adaptations of birds to urban areas and the importance bird habitat corridors in a city environment.

BIRDS OF THE BLOEMFONTEIN PENTAD 2905_2610: A REVIEW OVER A 30 YEAR PERIOD

Dawid H. de Swardt

Department of Ornithology, National Museum, P O Box 266, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

The Bloemfontein pentad (2905_2610) is one of the nine pentads of the 2926AA quarter degree square used during the SABAP1 survey (1987 -1992) (see Harrison et. al 1992). Before SABAP1, Roos et. al (1985a, b, c) published a series of annotated checklists of the Bloemfontein district based on surveys by the “Orange Ornithological Society” (now BirdLife Free State) in Mirafra, which also includes the central parts of the city. After SABAP1, Kopij (2001) did several bird counts in the Bloemfontein area (references in Kopij 2001) including an annotated checklist of Navil Hill (Franklins Nature Reserve), and other bird surveys, which were all annotated in a "Atlas of birds of Bloemfontein"; he summarized data over a period between July 1993 to June 1998 (dates correct). Anecdotal bird observations of Bloemfontein birds were mostly published in Mirafra under "sightings of interest" or as short snippets. These include the first report dates of birds such as Common Starling, Indian Myna, Black-collared Barbet and other bird species. The birds of the 2900_2610 pentad (which includes the Free State National Botanical Gardens and Seven Dams area) were published earlier (de Swardt 2014).

Figure 1: Map of the Bloemfontein 2905_2610 pentad with the following The aim of this paper is to review the changes in bird communities and abundance in the central Bloemfontein area (with emphasis on localities referred in the text: 1 - Navil Hill, 2 - Oliewenhuis Gardens & Grant's Hill, 3 - Signal Hill & Happy Valley l, 4 - Loch Logan Waterfront, 5 - Bloudam, 6 - Ooseinde Purification Works, 7 - War Museum, 8 - Small grassland areas, 9 - University Sport Fields, 10 - Tempe Military Base. – ISSN 2219-0341 – Biodiversity Observations 8.43: 1-17 2

Logan Waterfront (central city) (Figure 4) and Bloudam in the southern industrial area (Hamilton and surroundings). Bloudam is also connected to the Ooseinde Purification dams with a drainage line that is surrounded by housing developments. The vegetation of the hilly areas (Grant’s Hill, Signal Hill, Happy Valley, Navill Hill and other areas) are mostly dominated by Olea spp, Buddlea spp and other tree species, and with small grassland communities (e. g. on plateaux of Navil Hill) and open wooded slopes.

The colonization of certain bird species (which were not recorded in SABAP1 period) will be discussed and analyzed by comparing the SABAP1 and SABAP2 data and the occurrences of certain bird populations within the Bloemfontein 2905_2610 pentad.

Figure 2: View of Navil Hill from Oliewenhuis. Birds commonly recorded are similar than Oliewenhuis, but several raptor species (Jackal Buzzard, African Harrier-hawk, Black Sparrowhawk and even a Pale Chanting Goshawk) and Karoo Scrub-robin, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting and Red- throated Wryneck a few times. New upgrades and the "Mandela" statue makes Navil Hill a safer place to visit than during the past. Security is at the gate and visitors only have to sign in at the gate (no entrance fees).

Figure 1 illustrates the different habitats within pentad 2905_2610. This includes mostly the city centre, the wooded suburban area and several open natural areas such as Navil Hill (Figure 2), Grant’s Hill (which includes Oliewenhuis gardens) (Figure 3), Signal Hill and smaller natural areas. Figure 3: The Olea and Buddleja spp dominated vegetation at Oliewenhuis gardens. Oliewenhuis is also a popular bird ringing locality and several The grasslands of the University of Free State, The War Museum ringing demonstrations have been carried out there. Most common and parts of Tempie Military Base also forms part of this pentad. recorded species are ChestnutventedTitbabbler, Bokmakierie, Common Kopij (2001b) gives a detailed description of the different habitat Scimitarbill; species such as Pririt Batis, Cardinal Woodpecker and types in the Bloemfontein area. The only areas with dams and LongbilledCrombec are recorded on an irregular basis. Layard's Titbabbler associated water habitat in this pentad are represented by the Loch and GreybackedCisticola have been ringed there in the past.

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The most abundant bird species recorded during SABAP2 are listed in Table 2. Species such as Cape Sparrow, African Red-eyed Bulbul, Cape Turtle Dove, Laughing Dove and Speckled Pigeon were the top five reported species during SABAP2. Hadeda Ibis, Crested Barbet and Common Myna (not recorded in SABAP1) have 90% and higher reporting rates than that recorded during SABAP1.

During the past 30 years interesting changes in bird communities were observed in the Bloemfontein area. These changes will be discussed in light of the data in Tables 1-5 followed by specific discussions on certain species.

A total of 34 birds species were recorded during SABAP2 which were not recorded during the SABAP1 period; these are listed in Table 3. Most of the species have probably been overlooked at localities (or not atlased there) during SABAP1 (e. g. Bloudam area) or not Figure 4. The Loch Logan waterfront is situated next to the Zoological recorded during SABAP1. Some species (about 20 species) are also Gardens with the island. There is also a heronry (Black-headed and Grey Herons) in the large Eucapyptus trees. Reed and White-breasted vagrants to the 2905_2610 pentad (see notes on certain species in Cormorants, Red-knobbed Coot and Egyptian Goose are regular species Table 3). and also occasionally Giant and Pied Kingfishers, Squacco and Black- crowned Night Herons and Moorhen. Of these (the 34 species in Table 3), six species are regarded as being successful colonizers in the Bloemfontein area and are Results and discussion discussed below in more detail in the following section:

A total of 202 cards were submitted for the 2926AA QDS during  African Harrier-Hawk SABAP1, and about 221 species were recorded. During SABAP2, The first published report of African Harrier-hawks in the 496 full protocol cards were submitted (by June 2017) with a total of Bloemfontein area was near the reservoir tower in the Hillsburo area 217 species recorded (See Table 1; Appendix 1). DDS contributed during June 2002 (Nuttall 2002). Since then harrier-hawks were 377 full protocol cards (76.0%) towards the total cards submitted. more frequently recorded in the central Bloemfontein area. SABAP2 These include incidental sightings and species excluded from the list records reveal a reporting rate of 1.62% (and additional one ad hoc which are identification errors (e. g. Olive Thrush and Karoo Prinia). list) and have been mostly recorded in the Navil Hill area and in the city and suburban areas. The total number of bird species recorded during the past 30 years is approximately 262.

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 Amur Falcon  Common Myna The first occurrences of Amur Falcons (<25 birds counted) in the The first reports for this species in the Bloemfontein area were in Bloemfontein area were made at the Eucalyptus trees at Ooseinde early 1998 and confirmed in June 1999 (Nuttall 1999). They were east of the city during February 1997 which are used as a roost site more successful than Common Starlings and have been more by Lesser Kestrels for years (Nuttall 1997). In subsequent years, abundant since 2000. They were also recorded with the annual falcon roost counts (part of the Birds of Prey Working Group count Birding Big Day events during the late 1990's (mainly observed in the project of EWT)have been made at the Ooseinde and Nelson Glen Agricultural College areas) and in the Ooseinde industrial areas Mandela Eucalyptus roosts in the city since 2007. Amur Falcon during November months. This species was not recorded in numbers average 250 - 300 in 2007 and increased to more than SABAP1 (and was definitely not overlooked) and a high reporting 2000 birds since 2014. These birds usually arrivein December and rate of 90.28% during SABAP2 (with 20 additional ad hoc are present as late as March. observations), confirms it as one of the most successful invasive bird species in the Bloemfontein area.  Black-collared Barbet The first Black-collared Barbet in Bloemfontein was reported during  Common Starling April 1987 (E Hattingh in Mirafra), but was probably observed before This species have been reported in the Bloemfontein area as early that time. Since September 1988 more records, mainly in the as late 1990. Brain Colahan (Colahan 2000) reports the first sighting wooded Dan Pienaar area, were confirmed (but not submitted to of this species in the Bloemspruit area (east of city) during October SABAP1) (Grobler 1988). Increasingly more birds were reported in 1990 and this early sighting was only confirmed during November the Bloemfontein area from 1992 onwards with the first breeding 1998 when starlings were observed in Westdene, Bloemfontein. record in September 2000 (Nuttall 2000a). They were recorded These birds were observed to become more abundant during the late during annual Birding Big Day events in suburban areas adjacent to 1990's, mainly near the Loch Logan Waterfront, school sports fields Navil Hill during November months from the 1990's onwards. The and the Ooseinde areas (Nuttall 2000b). The success of this species first bird ringed at Oliewenhuis was on 30 April 2003 (ring no: in the central Bloemfontein and industrial areas is confirmed by its 4A15844). During SABAP2 a reporting rate of 54.45% was obtained high reporting rate of 40.69% (and additional 10 ad hoc lists), (including six ad hoc and one incidental sightings). although it less abundant than Common Myna.

 Green Wood-hoopoe During SABAP1, a total of about 25 species were recorded in the The first Green Wood-hoopoes were observed at Maselspoort (ca. QDS 2926AA which were not recorded in pentad 2905_2610 during 30 kilometres from city) along the Modder River during September the SABAP2 project (Table 4). These species were mostly recorded 1994 (de Swardt 1994). Thereafter they were more frequently in the surrounding pentads (of QDS 2926AA) or were rare species to observed in wooded suburbs (Dan Pienaar, Oliewenhuis). A the city area. Some of the lark and cisticola species (see Table 4) SABAP2 reporting rate of 24.29% was recorded. were recorded at the University Sport fields (Kopij 2001a). Only a few noteworthy observations will be discussed in more detail below:

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 Secretarybird First observed on the plateaux of Navil Hill during 1989 (Kopij & de Fifteen species have lower reporting rates in 2905_2610 (Table 6); Swardt 1998). The closest observations to the city are known to the they are known to be more abundant in surrounding pentads where valley of Seven dams area and grasslands south of Pellisier suburb more suitable habitat occurs (pers. obs). Species such as Orange (DDS pers obs). River Francolin, Northern Black Korhaan and Long-tailed Widow were only recorded on the plateaux of Navil Hill, the University sports  Greybacked Cisticola grounds, grasslands in the Tempe area and the Bloudam area, Observed and ringed during SABAP1 at Oliewenhuis which is part of where they are localized. The only known population of Karoo Scrub- Grant's Hill. Also observed at the War Museum before SAPAP2 robin in pentad 2905_2610 is on Navil Hill and possibly in nearby (DDS persobs) Grants Hill.

 Dusky Sunbird The following species have been recorded in the Bloemfontein area Dusky Sunbirds were irregularly recorded during the winter months in but have not been recorded in either SABAP1 or SABAP2 periods; the Bloemfontein area. There is also an old breeding record in the they are discussed below: Dan Pienaar suburb during September 1985 (Grobler & Pretoruis 1986). This species was not recorded during SABAP2 in  Natal Francolin 2905_2610, but in the adjacent Free State National Botanical Vagrant recorded in June 1997 at Navil Hill (Kopij & de Swardt Gardens (2900_2610) and Leeuberg (2910_2605) pentads during 1998). June - July 2017. A juvenile bird was ringed at a Leonotis clump in May 2006 and first sighted at the gardens on 10 June 2017.  Greater Honeyguide Vagrants recorded at Navil Hill and cemetery areas near the War During SABAP2 a total of about 25 species showed noteworthy Museum (Kopij 2001). reporting rate increases in 2905_2610 since SABAP1 (Table 5). These species included mainly water associated species (such as  Grey Hornbill White-breasted and Reed Cormorant, Egyptian Goose, Hadeda Ibis Winter influxes along the Modderriver and the city (Oliewenhuis) and other) and birds adapted to suburban garden environment were observed during July - August 1992 (de Swardt et. al 1992; (doves, mousebirds, seed-eating birds). Crested Barbets were first Nuttall 1992). A small group were also observed during June 2007 in recorded in the Free State as early as the 1940's near Senekal and , Bloemfontein (a month before SABAP2) (DDS persobs). since 1985 in the eastern suburbs of Bloemfontein (Herholdt& Earle 1987). Crested Barbets are now one of the most abundant birds in  European Golden Oriole the Bloemfontein suburban areas (reporting rate from 15.84% in Vagrant to University Campus in October 1993 (Kopij 2001). SABAP1 to 94.33% in SABAP2). Also Red-winged Starlings, Red- chested Cuckoos, African Palm Swifts, White-bellied Sunbirdsand  Groundscraper Thrush Red-headed Finches have higher SABAP2 reporting rates (see Old historical record in the city suburbs before 1985 (Roos et. al Table 5). 1985c).

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 Violeteared Waxbill Grobler NJ, Pretoruis J 1986. Dusky Sunbird nesting in Observed in Navil Hill in February 1997 (Kopij & de Swardt 1998). Bloemfontein. Mirafra 3 (4): 59-60.

This is the first detailed study of the status of the birds recorded in Grobler NJ 1988. Snippets / brokkies. Mirafra 5 (3): 62-63. the Bloemfontein area and document how the bird populations have changed and adapted over the past 30 years. Apart from the Harrison JA, Allan DG, Underhill LG, Herrenmans M, Tree AJ, surveys done by Roos et. al (1985a, b, c), several documented Parker V, Brown CJ ( Eds). 1992. The Atlas of southern African reports of the birds in Mirafra (see references) and the atlas by Kopij Birds. Vols. 1& 2. Birdlife South Africa: Johannesburg. (2001), this paper represents the first updated analysis of the birds of Bloemfontein for pentad 2905_2610. The adaptations of bird species Herholdt JJ, Earle RA 1987. The occurrence of the Crested Barbet, such as Crested Barbet, Black-collared Barbet, Common Myna, Steelblue Widowfinch and Whitefronted Bee-eater in the OFS - a Common Starling and other species in a city environment are possible range extension? Mirafra 4 (3): 51-59. illustrated. The isolated habitats for birds in a city environment such as Navil Hill, Grants Hill, Happy Valley and the isolated grassland Kopij G 2001. Atlas of birds of Bloemfontein. National University of areas and dams in drainage lines is important to be conserved for Lesotho & Free State Bird Club. the bird communities within a city environment. Kopij G, de Swardt DH 1998. An annotated checklist of birds of the This paper commemorates 10 years of SABAP2 project and atlasing Franklin Game Reserve, Bloemfontein, Free State. Mirafra 15: 21-27. in the Bloemfontein area. Thanks to all the citizen scientists for their contributions through the years. Nuttall RJ 1992. Further Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus sightings: central OFS. Mirafra 9 (2): 44. References Nuttall RJ 1997. Sightings of Interest. Mirafra 14: 21-26. Colahan BD 2000. The European Starling in central Bloemfontein - has the invasion begun? Mirafra 17: 11-12. Nuttall RJ 1999. Sightings of Interest. Mirafra 16: 27-28.

De Swardt DH, van Niekerk DJ, Kotze AJ 1992. Grey Hornbills in Nuttall RJ 2000. Sightings of Interest. Mirafra 17: 26-31. the central-western OFS. Mirafra 9 (2): 41-42. Nuttall RJ 2002. Sightings of Interest. Mirafra 19: 48-50. De Swardt DH 2014. A comparative analysis of SABAP2 data for the Free State National Botanical Gardens and the Valley of Seven Roos ZN, Roos MM, Beemsterboer E. 1985a. 'n Kontrolelys van Dams Conservancy. Ornithological Observations 5:1-8. die voëls van die Bloemfontein distrik. Mirafra 2 (1): 7-15.

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Roos ZN, Roos MM, Beemsterboer E. 1985b. 'n Kontrolelys van die voëls van die Bloemfontein distrik. Mirafra 2 (2): 9-12.

Roos ZN, Roos MM, Beemsterboer E. 1985c. 'n Kontrolelys van die voëls van die Bloemfontein distrik. Mirafra 2 (3): 7-16.

Table 1 – 6 to follow, one per page.

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TABLE 1: Total monthly bird species totals recorded in quarter degree grid 2926AA during SABAP1 (1987 - 1992) and in pentad 2905_2610 (one of nine pentads of 2926AA) during SABAP2 (June 2007 - June 2017)

SABAP1

J F M A M J J A S O N D Total

Cards 14 15 13 22 18 18 13 21 18 18 18 14 202

Species 135 153 124 137 107 101 103 117 126 125 141 132 221

SABAP2

J F M A M J J A S O N D Total

Cards 38 32 37 44 36 39 41 47 42 50 40 49 495

Species 153 132 133 120 110 114 118 118 126 140 138 145 215

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TABLE 2: The 20 most abundant bird species recorded in the Bloemfontein 2905_2610 pentad during SABAP2 showing reporting rates (full protocol) and comparison with SABAP1 data. Significant changes in reporting rates between SABAP1 and SABAP2 are in bold.

Bird species SABAP2 reporting rate SABAP1 reporting rate

Rep rate (%) n Rep rate (%)

Cape Sparrow 98.59 489 89.11

African Red-eyed Bulbul 98.39 488 85.15

Cape Turtle-dove 98.39 488 86.14

Laughing Dove 98.19 487 94.06

Speckled Pigeon 98.19 487 85.64

Orange River White-eye 97.98 486 74.75

Hadeda Ibis 97.58 484 47.52

Karoo Thrush 97.58 484 84.65

Common Fiscal 97.18 482 90.59

Southern Masked Weaver 97.18 482 66.83

Cape Robin-chat 96.37 478 72.28

Crowned Lapwing 96.17 477 76.24

Blacksmith Lapwing 95.56 474 68.32

Crested Barbet 94.35 468 15.84

White-backed Mousebird 92.54 459 54.46

Red-faced Mousebird 90.73 450 50.99

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Common Myna 90.32 448 Not recorded

House Sparrow 89.92 446 68.81

Cape Wagtail 89.72 445 71.28

Little Swift 89.31 443 62.87

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TABLE 3: Bird species not recorded during SABAP1 period but recorded during SABAP2 with details of SABAP2 reporting rates (June 2007 - June 2017) and possible first dates and localities recorded after SABAP1 (see text). * Birds in bold have significant reporting rate increases in SABAP2 (with possible first dates recorded in BFN area)

Bird species SABAP2 reporting rate (Full protocol) * Approx. first recorded / Locality

Great Crested Grebe 0.22% Bloudam

Lesser Flamingo 7.26% Bloudam

Hottentot Teal 8.87% Bloudam

Fulvous Duck 0.22% Bloudam

Mallard Duck 0.22% Unknown locality

Common Peacock 6.65% DOW nursery area (breeding)

Peregrine Falcon 2.82% Recorded sporadically

Amur Falcon 12.10% First recorded at roost - February 1997

Red-footed Falcon 1.01% Recorded during roost counts (low numbers)

Yellow-billed Kite 0.22% Flew over pentad

European Honey-buzzard 0.22% Dan Pienaar area (VM record)

Martail Eagle 0.45% Flew over pentad

African Fish-eagle 0.22% Unknown locality (sporadically in 2900_2610)

Black Sparrowhawk 1.42% Navil Hill

African Marsh-harrier 0.22% Bloudam

African Harrier-hawk 1.62% City, Navil Hill - more regular after 2002

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Kurrichane Buttonquail 0.22% Grasslands at University?

African Rail 1.21% Bloudam

Black Crake 1.42% Bloudam

African Purple Swamphen 8.87% Bloudam

Kittlitz's Plover 1.85% Ad hoc sighting (unknown locality)

Whiskered Tern 0.22% Bloudam

Great Spotted Cuckoo 0.22% Suburban areas

Freckled Nightjar 0.22% Possibly at Oliewenhuis; also in 2900_2610

Common Swift 0.61% Possible overlooked in SABAP1,irregular

Green Woodhoopoe 24.19% First recorded after 1994, suburban areas

Black-collared Barbet 54.23% More common after 1992

Brown-backed Honeybird 0.22% Oliewenhuis area

Bar-throated Apalis 0.20% Oliewenhuis area

Common Starling 40.93% First record 1990, more abundant after 1998

Common Myna 90.32% First record 1998, more abundant after 2000

Blackfaced Waxbill 0.40% Navil Hill

Lark-like Bunting 0.22% Navil Hill

Rose-ringed Parakeet 1.85% Ad hoc sighting (city area)

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TABLE 4: Bird species recorded in QDS 2926AA during SABAP1, but not in pentad 2905_2610 during SABAP2 (only as vagrants or recorded in surrounding pentads during SABAP2) (see text).

Bird species SABAP1 reporting rate SABAP1 record / Locality

Black-necked Grebe 3.47% Surrounded pentads

Secretarybird 2.97% Surrounded pentads, Navil Hill in 1989 (Kopij 1998)

Double-banded Courser 1.98% Surrounded pentads

White-winged Tern 4.95% Surrounded pentads

Marsh Owl 1.98% Surrounded pentads

Fiery-necked Nightjar 0.505 Surrounded pentads

European Roller 0.50% Surrounded pentads

Lilacbreasted Roller 0.50% Old specimen record (7 February 1991)

Melodious Lark 0.505 Surrounded pentads; University sports grounds?

Spike-heeled Lark 10.405 Surrounded pentads

GreybackedSparrowlark 0.505 Surrounded pentads

Red-capped Lark 4.95% Surrounded pentads; along Ferreira road?

Pink-billed Lark 0.50% Surrounded pentads; University sports grounds?

Eastern Clapper Lark 8.91% Surrounded pentads; University sports grounds?

Pearl-breasted Swallow 0.99% Surrounded pentads

Sickle-winged Chat 0.99% Surrounded pentads

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Yellow-bellied Eremomela 0.99% Surrounded pentads

Rufous-eared Warbler 0.995 Surrounded pentads

Cloud Cisticola 1.98% Surrounded pentads; University sports grounds?

GreybackedCisticola 4.95% War Museum pre 2007, Oliewenhuis?

Longbilled Pipit 0.995 Surrounded pentads

Plainbacked Pipit 2.97% Surrounded pentads

Dusky Sunbird 4.46% Surrounded pentads, gardens in city - breeding in 1985

Black-headed Canary 0.50% Surrounded pentads

Goldenbreasted Bunting 0.99% Surrounded pentads; Ringed FS Bot Gardens - pre 2004

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TABLE 5: Bird species showing reporting rate increases during SABAP2 since the SABAP1 period (see text). Species in bold showed significant increases in abundances in the Bloemfontein area.

Bird species SABAP1 reporting rate SABAP2 reporting rate Reason for increases

White-breasted Cormorant 10.40% 75.60% Resident Loch Logan & Bloudam

Reed Cormorant 35.64% 76.61% Resident Loch Logan &Bloudam

Little Egret 10.40% 26.01% Resident Loch Logan &Bloudam

Cattle Egret 50.00% 72.38% Resident Bloudam (heronry)

Hadeda Ibis 47.52% 97.58% Increased abundances in city and suburban areas

Egyptian Goose 21.78% 79.23% Increased abundances at Loch Logan &Bloudam

Helmeted Guineafowl 27.72% 57.26% Abundant at War Museum, Happy Valley area

Red-knobbed Coot 43.56% 83.27% Resident Loch Logan &Bloudam

Crowned Lapwing 76.24% 96.17% Increased abundances in city and suburban areas

Blacksmith Lapwing 68.32% 95.56% Increased abundances in city and suburban areas

Pied Avocet 0.50% 7.29% Bloudam; site not visited in SABAP1?

Red-eyed Dove 25.25% 88.71% Increased abundances in city and suburban areas

Rock Dove 33.66% 86.64% Increased abundances in city areas

Red-chested Cuckoo 3.96% 7.49% Increased abundances after mid 1990's

Alpine Swift 5.45% 58.27% Breeding in high building in city since early 1990's

African Palm Swift 6.44% 44.35% Increased abundances in city and suburban areas

Speckled Mousebird 3.96% 41.13% Increased abundances in city and suburban areas

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African Hoopoe 56.93% 82.06% Increased abundances in city and suburban areas

Crested Barbet 15.84% 94.35% Increased abundances after mid 1990's

Rock Martin 23.76% 89.11% Increased abundances in city and suburban areas

Redwinged Starling 2.97% 53.02% Increased abundances in city and suburban areas

White-bellied Sunbird 7.43% 54.84% Increased abundances in city and suburban areas

Cape Weaver 6.44% 36.29% Increased abundances in city; isolated weaver colonies

Red-headed Finch 9.90% 88.91% Increased abundances in city and suburban areas

Black-throated Canary 19.31% 68.55% Increased abundances in city and suburban areas

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TABLE 6: Bird species showing reporting rate decreases during SABAP2 since the SABAP1 period (see text). Species in bold show species with localized populations in the 2905_2600 Bloemfontein pentad.

Bird species SABAP1 reporting rate SABAP2 reporting rate Status and localities

Little Grebe 37.13% 5.26% Common in surrounded pentads; Bloudam

Orange River Francolin 24.755 4.86% Common in surrounded pentads; University &Navil Hill

Northern Black Korhaan 24.26% 2.23% Common in surrounded pentads; University &Tempe

Namaqua Dove 15.355 3.44% Common in surrounded pentads; sporadically in pentad

Rufousnaped Lark 3.965 1.82% Common in surrounded pentads; University

Ashy Tit 3.47% 0.22% Common in surrounded pentads; rarely in Navil Hill

Mountain Wheather 22.28% 0.81% Common in surrounded pentads; areas with buildings

Anteating Chat 18.32% 0.22% Common in surrounded pentads; Navil Hill in 1989

Karoo Scrub-robin 24.75% 10.32% Common in surrounded pentads; Navil Hill & Grants Hill

African Pipit 24.75% 4.45% Common in surrounded pentads; open grassveld patches

Cape Longclaw 20.30% 1.625 Common in surrounded pentads; Bloudam& University

Cape Glossy Starling 24.26% 8.91% Common in surrounded pentads; sporadically in city

Malachite Sunbird 21.29% 9.725 Winter visitor, less common than in surrounded pentads

Longtailed Widowbird 14.85% 3.64% Common in surrounded pentads; localized near Bloudam

Cape Canary 4.95% 0.61% Common in surrounded pentads, near Navil Hill in SABAP1

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